Islam's "war on sin" in Malaysia

[Arcadia Victis]

Over a drink of green coconut at what used to be called the Passionate Love Beach until his Islamist party came to power and scrapped the name, state minister Takiyuddin Hassan outlines the victories in the war on sin.

To the south, in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, celebrations are starting for Malaysia’s 50th year as an independent state. Its proud achievements are modern universities, a buoyant economy and a respected place in the world as a moderate Islamic nation.

Mr Hassan’s party boasts a different set of achievements: banning mini-skirts, chastising unmarried couples and renaming Kota Bharu’s favourite beauty spot. They also closed down nightclubs, banned nearly all bars except a few Chinese restaurants, where no Muslims are allowed, and refused to let a proposed cinema open unless there were separate sections for men and women.

"Moral enforcement department" sounds rather Orwellian, doesn't it.

[Asmodai]

Not to mention banning homosexuality.

It's weird, we have a very vibrant, safe and free society here without any of those restrictions. What is it about his people that makes him think that they're so much less capable than we are?

Isn't the war on sin supposed to be a personal struggle anyway?

[JFC]

Not to mention banning homosexuality.

[Sexykago]

Religion/Spirituality should be an individual personal thing.
This type of thing makes me very sad.

[Mugen]

whoa, sounds like they are leaning towards dictatorship 

[THUNDERDUCK]

The problem with some of these countries is that there is no separation of the church and the state.  Example is Afghanistan is that preaching Christianity is a crime.

[maliciel]

Source? Malaysia has always been a Muslim country (except disguised officially as a secular one). Gogo general knowledge? Also, that's obviously a state that's controlled by PAS instead of the ruling UMNO.

[Arcadia Victis]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2280503.ece

whoops, forgot it in the original link >_>